Plural-compartment admixing hypodermic syringe ampoule for segregated storage of ingredients of liquid medicinal solutions and therapeutic preparations



April 8, 1952 M. LOCKHART 2,591,706

PLURAL-COMPARTMENT ADMIXING HYPODERMIC SYRINGE AMPOULE FOR SEGREGATEDSTORAGE OF INGREDIENTS OF LIQUID MEDICINAL SOLUTIONS AND THERAPEUTICPREPARATIONS Filed Sept. 29, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 ATTO R N EYS April 8,1952 M. LOCKHART 2,591,706

, PLURAL-COMPARTMENT ADMIXING HYPODERMIC SYRINGE AMPOULE FOR SEGREGATEDSTORAGE OF INGREDIENTS OF LIQUID MEDICINAL SOLUTIONS AND THERAPEUTICPREPARATIONS I} Filed Sept. 29, 1950 A 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 INVENTO Rfl/4/PJ/s Azz A [arm Amt WZMAAJZH WMZAAAA ATTORNEY S.

Patented Apr. 8, 1952 PLURAL-COMPARTMENT ADMIXING HYPO- DERMIC SYRINGEAMPOULE FOR SEGRE- GATED STORAGE OF INGREDIENTS OF LIQUID MEDICINALSOLUTIONS AND THERAPEUTIC PREPARATIONS Marshall L. Lock-hart,Rutherford, N. .L, assignor to The Compule Corporation, Rutherford, N. Ja corporation of New Jersey Application September 29, 1950, Serial N 0.187,502

18 Claims.

1 The present invention relates to hypodermic syringe ampules of theplural-compartment type medicinal solutions and therapeutic preparationswhich are manipulatable to accomplish admixture of the ingredients andthen operable as a syringe barrel and piston means to expel theresulting mixture in the hypodermic administration of the latter.

A general object of the present invention is to provide such hypodermicsyringe ampules, the parts of each of which are of simple construction,readily produced on an economical mass basis and easily assembled toform a self-contained ampule unit with chambers thereof separatelycharged or loaded with the difierent ingredients of medicinal solutionsand therapeutic preparations or solvent and medicament solids in amanner assuring sterility; various embodiments thereof featuring atubular syringe barrel having a partition intermediate its ends providedwith one-way valve means through which passage of liquid solvent fromone chamber to the other for admixture of segregated contents may be hadby application thereto of a differential in fluid pressure easily andefiecti-vely applied by manipulations external of the chambers, withcontinued isolation of the ingredients so as to avoid undesirableinterference with sterile conditions.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide such ahypodermic syringe ampule in which is featured a valving partition todefine one chamber from another for segregation of solvent andmedicament solids in the chambers, the valve means of said partitionbeing self-closing, and openable by application of fluid pressure onlyto the solvent chamber side thereof, the structure being such as topermit the creation of hydraulic pressure in the solvent chamber bysimple manual operation exterior of the chambers while effectivelymaintaining them closed, the Valving partition eiiectively preventingbackflow to permit efiicient expulsion in the hypodermic administrationof the latter.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of suchhypodermic syringe ampules in which the valving partition is formed as abody of elastic materia1 having a portion cupped inward in the solventor liquid chamber side thereof and provided with at least one or moreself-closing perforations extending therethrough openable when thecupped portion is stretched by application therein of hydraulic pressuredeveloped in said liquid chamber and self-closing upon relaxation of theelastic material-with approximate equalization of pressure on bothsides, and of such construction as to assure maintenance of closure ofthe perforation or perforations when pressure is increased on the otherside thereof to prevent back-flow of fluid, thus permitting a desiredeifective utilization of said partition means as an expulsion pistonduring hypodermic administration of mixture resulting from admixture ofthe segregated ingredients.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such apartitioned hypodermic syringe ampule with closure means closing off theend of the chamber in which the solute or medicament is stored and inwhich the ingredients are to be mixed so constructed that gaseous fluidor air contained in the mixing chamber may be efiiciently ventedtherefrom simultaneously with transfer thereinto of liquid solvent.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide structuralembodiments of the apparatus which are readily and economicallyconstructed and permit efficient use and operation thereof, as will bemore fully apparent from the following descriptions of said embodimentsshown by way of example in the accompanying drawmgs.

Other objects of the invention Will inpart be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements and arrangement of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter setforth, and the scope ofthe invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal or axial section, with parts broken away, of aloaded dual-chamber embodiment of the hypodermic syringe ampuie of thepresent invention, of a needle-equipped syringe casing structure adaptedto receive the ampule as a barrel, and of a pressure-applying or thrustcap to be fitted over one end of said ampule for forcing it down intosaid casing, the separated parts shown being arranged in the order oftheir assembly for admixing manipulation;

Fig. 2 is an axial section, with parts broken away, of the partsdepicted in Fig. 1, but showing them to a larger scale and with the memebeing fired by telescoping it into the syringe casing with applicationof pressure to the mounted cap for the transfer of liquid solvent fromthe liquid storage chamber to the solute or medicament solids storagechamber for admixture thereof in the latter, but not shown in thepreferred position of orientation shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 showing the relativeposition of the parts after the ampule has been so fired withsubstantially complete transfer of the liquid solvent to the mixingchamber;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the fired ampule, syringe casing andthrust cap assembly shown in Fig. 3, showing a portion of the operatorshand holding it in the position of orientation favored for firing andobtaining efficient admixture of ingredients with longitudinal shak-Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2, with some parts brokenaway and others in elevation, showing the thrust cap mounted on theopposite end of the fired ampule after the latter has been removed andreversed in the syringe casing end-for-end for hypodermic administrationof the mixture contents; Fig. 6 is an enlarged end view of crownedcupped plug structure, preferably employed both as the partition meansand the closing means for the end of the mixing chamber of theembodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5 incl;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the hypodermicsyringe ampule of the present invention showing it mounted as a barrelof another type of syringe casing structure, with the parts beingdepicted in their relative positions prior to firing;

8 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 7 showing the firing of the ampuleby depression of the syringe plunger for transfer of liquid solvent fromthe liquid chamber to the mixing chamber, but not shown in the preferredposition of orientation indicated in Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 8 showing the relativepositions of parts after completion of the firing with substantiallycomplete transfer of liquid from the liquid chamber to the mixingchamber; and

Fig. 10 is a sectional view, with parts broken away, similar to Fig. 9,showing manipulation of the syringe structure in the hypodermicadministration of the resulting mixture.

' Referring to the drawings, in which like I'iumerals identify similarparts throughout, it will be seen that an embodiment of the presentinvention, shown in Figs. 1 to 5 incl., may be adapted for employmentwith a metal or disposa bleplastic cartridge type syringe, such as thatillustrated in my Patent No. 2,410,351, of October "29,1946. As shown inFigs. 1 to 5 incl., hypodermic syringe ampule ll may comprise asubstantially cylindrical tube or barrel 12 of suitable material,preferably transparent to permit inspection and observation of contentsand internal actions, such as glass, 2. suitable plastic, or the like.Tubular barrel 12 preferably is provided between its ends l3 and I4 witha waist constriction I5 to form a circular internal seat IS, the latterpreferably being of a diameter substantialy less than the internaldiameter of the remainder of the barrel.

Transversely-extending partition means are mounted in barrel 1! on seat16 and, as shown, preferably comprises a crowned cupped plug 17 formedof suitable elastic material, such as synthetic or natural rubber, forexample, pure gum.

Plug l1 preferably comprises a hollow cylindrical base sleeve section 18which may be of a diameter appreciably greater than the diameter of seatIt when the plug is in its relaxed condition, before being mounted inbarrel 12. Thus, when plug I1 is forced into the seat It its base sleevesection 18 will be compressed to the shape shown, there to befrictionally retained and to resist, at least temporarily, dislocationby application of a differential in pressure to opposite sides or endsthereof. Plug ll includes a domed protruding closure end or crown I9,preferably made integral with the base sleeve section l8, and preferablythinner than the latter, at least in certain circumambient areas thereofto assure greater flexibility. Flexible membrane crown 19 preferably isstiffened about a central area of its tip by a protruding integral rib20 and is provided in thinner sections thereof with at least oneself-closing perforation, preferably in the nature of a slit formed bypiercing it with a needle or other slender instrument. Preferably, asshown in Fig. 6, a plurality of such perforations or slits 2l--2l areformed in the membrane crown I9 both about and within the stiffening rib20.

Such crowned cupped plug structure is more fully described in mycopending application Serial No. 160,987, filed May 9, 1950 and nowPatent Number 2,577,780, granted December 11, 1951, and, as thereinindicated, when fluid pressure is applied interiorly thereof, that is,to the inner side of membrane crown 19, the latter will be stretched 0rbulged to open up the perforations or slits 2l2| to permit passage offluid. Application of pressure, either hydraulic or mechanical, to theoutside of crown I!) will cause it to flex or fold inwardly so as tocrowd the stock thereof into a smaller area to squeeze the sides of theperforations or slits closely together efficiently to resistconsiderable fluid pressure to prevent reverse flow of fluid. Thus, thecrowned cupped plug I1 serves as a one-way valved partition means.Partition plug l7 divides tubular barrel [2 into a pair of chambers,chamber 22 at one end preferably being adapted to store liquidingredient or solvent, and a second chamber 23 at the other end adaptedto store another ingredient or medicament solute and to serve as amixing chamber for admixture of the ingredients. A body 24 of liquidsolvent of any suitable nature, such as distilled water, in whichmedicament solute is to be dissolved to form a placed in liquid storagechamber 22 substantially to fill the same when end l3 of the tubularbarrel I2 is closed off by means of a suitable piston plug 25.

Piston plug 25 preferably is of the cupped type having a recess 26 inthe outer side or end thereof so as to avoid being pierced when pushedagainst plunger or piston post means from which the end of a needle mayproject, as in the type of cartridge syringe structure shown in Figs. 1to 5 incl. and as more fully explained hereinafter. Piston plug 25preferably is formed of suitable resilient or elastic material, such assynthetic or natural rubber, for example, pure gum; and is made slightlyoversize, i. e., it has an external diameter slightly greater than theinternal diameter of liquid chamber 22, to engage the inner walls of thebarrel in the liquid chamber snugly so as to serve as a secure liquidseal at the end thereof while being slidable therein so as to expel ordischarge the liquid solute therefrom with piston action.

The other ingredient or medicament solute, which is to be dissolved intothe liquid solvent, may comprise a mass 2'! of discrete particles or asolid body in pill form placed in mixing chamber 23 with the remainderof the space therein being occupied by a sterile gaseous medium, such asair. The end I4 of tubular barrel I2, and thus the end of storagechamber 23, is closed'oif by a gas-venting plug I I1, preferably of aconstruction similar to partition plug I'I. Thus, plug I I! will permitautomatic valving from the mixing chamber 23 of the contained gas asliquid solvent is transferred from the liquid storage chamber 22thereto. Since end-closing plug I I I must assure effective sealing ofmixing chamber 23 while the latter serves as a storage chamber for themedicament solute it is also preferably oversize, and its base sleevesection may have either a smooth outside cylindrical surface like I8 or,if desired, a plurality of circumambient grooves, as proposed in Figs. 1to 5 incl. Since closing plug II! is similar in structure to partitionplug II, it has a pierced membrane crown I9 in which self-closingventing slits 2I2I are formed.

A pressure-applying or thrust cap 28 is provided for fitting over eitherend I4 or I3 of tubular barrel I2, and preferably is formed as a moldedbody of synthetic or natural rubber or the like, having a top portion 29providing an end surface 30 for engagement by an operator's digit forapplication of biasing force thereto or push or thrust thereagainst. Cap28 preferably has formed integral with the top portion 29 acircumambient flange or skirt 3i surrounding an axial socket 32. The endor bottom surface 33 of socket 32 is arched to provide clearance formembrane crown I9 of end closing'plug II'I even when bulged by internalapplication of pressure. Socket 32 is preferably formed of a diameterslightly less than the external diameter of the tubular barrel I2 so asto require stretching of the skirt 3| when either end of the barrel isreceived or forced into the socket 32, to assure secure frictionalmountation of the cap on the barrel while permitting ready removalthereof. Thus, cap 28 may be fitted on the end I4 of the barrel I2 atthe time thelatter is charged with solvent and solute protectively toremain so mounted during distribution, desirably to preserve sterileconditions of the closing plug II'I since the latter is to be pierced bythe hypodermic needle for hypodermic administration of the medicinalmixture. Preferably, there is provided an interrupted,laterally-extending flange 34 near the bottom of socket 32 to form anabutment for either end of the barrel I2 and limit its movementthereinto, so as to assure provision of sufilcient clearance space atthe bottom of the socket for accommodating the bulged membrane crown I9of end closing plug II'I.

Thrust cap 28 is designed to permit venting of the gas from mixingchamber 23 with transfer of liquid solvent thereinto and, accordingly,is provided with one or more ventingways or passages leading from thevicinity of the venting perforations 2I-2I' in membrane crown I9 of endclosing plug II I to atmosphere at the side of the cap so as to avoidbeing closed off when the end of the cap is engaged by an operatorsdigit. Such ways may be provided by a plurality of longitudinal grooves35 formed in the inner side wall of socket 32, and extending frominterrupted flange 34 to the free edge 36 of the skirt 3I. The notchesin interrupted flange 34 are in communication with the grooves 35 so asto vent gas from the arched bottom surface 33 of socket 32 toatmosphere. A plurality of protuberances or nibs 31 on the arched bottomsurface 33 limit outward movement of the crown membrane I9 of endclosing plug II! when bulged under internal pressure, so that portionsthereof or its rib 20 will not tend to close off passages for escapinggas. It is to be understood that such thrust cap structure may takevarious forms as proposed in my'copending application Ser. No. 187,501filed September 29, 1950, and entitled Plural-Compartment AdmixingContainers or Vials for Segregated Storage of Ingredients of LiquidMixtures, and Parts Thereof."

The hypoderdmic syringe casing structure in which the injection needleor cannula is mounted and which is adapted to receive ampule II to serveas the barrel thereof, may be substantially of the form shown at 38 inFigs. 1 to 5 incl. As there shown such syringe casing structure 38 maycomprise a tubular base section 39 having an axial bore 40 thereinslidably to receive either end of barrel I2 and cut away 'at M onopposite sides to provide a pair of spring legs 42, 42 intervened by aslot 43 having opposed arcuate surfaces adapted to be snapped aboutmounting shank 44 of a double-ended hollow hypodermic needle or cannula45 so as to engage the latter snugly. Shank- 44 of needle 45 may beprovided with an enlargement 46, preferably knurled, received Within anenlargement 41 of slot 43 so as to limit inward movement of the needlerelative to the casing when the former is thrust into the patientsflesh. The ends of the spring legs 42, 42 carry complementary halves 43,48 of a plunger or piston post 49 separated by a continuation of slot 43to receive upper end 50 of needle 45. Plunger or piston post 49 extendsupwardly substantially coaxially into bore 40 with arcuate portions 5|,5| of the latter between the legs'42, 42 and post'halves 48, 48 beingadapted to receive either end of barrel I2 as it is telescoped down intothe bore. The upper or inner end 52 of post 49'is preferably formedsubstantially circular, interrupted only by the needle-receiving slottherein, with the tip of the upper end so of the needle extendingappreciably therebeyond to pierce means closing the end of the barrel sothat contained liquid mixture may be discharged through the hollowneedle in hypodermic administration thereof when the barrel is pusheddown into the casing. The chamber 26 in end closing cupped plug 25 is ofa depth sufficient to receive the upper protruding tip of the needle end58 so as to avoid piercing that closing plug in the initialmanipulations of the ampule during which segregated solute and solventare brought together in the mixing chamber, as is indicated in Fig. 2.Base 39 is provided with suitable opposed finger-engaging wings 53', 53.

In operation of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5 incl=., a loadedampule construction, such as H, is selected by the physician or othertechnician who is to administer an injection to a patient. It may haveprotective thrust cap 28 mounted on end I4 of tubular barrel I2, aspreviously explained. The other end I3 of the barrel is placed in bore48, and the operator preferably engages syringe casing 39 between hisindex and middle fingers 54 and 55, with the latter located beyond orbehind the wings 53, 53, and places his thumb 56 against the thrust cap28. as will be understood from Fig. 4;. He then fires the ampule byapplying mechanical pressure to the thrust cap 28 to cause barrel I2 tobe telescoped down into bore 49, as is indicated in Fig. 2, with thestructure preferably oriented in the position indicated in Fig. 4. As aresult, plunger piston post 49 will cause piston plug 25 to slide upinto liquid chamber 24 to develop hydraulic pressure within chamber 51of partition plug I'I causing its membrane crown I9 to stretch andbulge, thereby opening up perforations or slits 2I2I. As a result,liquid solvent 24 is expelled from liquid chamber 22 and squirted orsprayed through the slits 2 I2I into mixing chamber 23, there to bebrought into contact with medicament solute 21. Simultaneously, asindicated in Fig. 2, the gas or air in mixing chamber 23 is caused toapply fluid pressure on the inner side of membrane crown I9 of endclosing plug II'I, i. e., within the chamber 51 of the latter, so asalso to cause it to stretch and bulge, opening up its'perforations orslits 2I2I to permit escape of the gas or air. from slits 2 I2I in endclosing plug II'I into the clearance space provided by the arched bottomsurface 33 of socket 32 through the notches in abutment flange 34 andvia the grooves 35 to atmosphere. Protuberances or nibs 31 on the archedbottom surface 33 prevent any portions of membrane crown I9 from closingoff the escape passages of one or more of the slits 2 I--2 I.

After the end I3 of barrel I2 has been telescoped down into bore 40 tobring the various parts to the relative positions shown in Fig. 3, itwill be found that a predetermined major amount of the body 24 ofsolvent previously stored in liquid chamber 22 will have beentransferred to the mixing chamber 23, leaving only a minor quantityentrapped within chamber 51 of partition plug II beyond the inner end ofpiston plug 25. The parts preferably are so proportioned as to provide asmall head 58 of gas or air in the mixing chamber 23, as indicated inFig. 3, so that a desired aspirating action may be had at the time ofinjection. As indicated in Fig. 4, the operator then assures thoroughadmixture of the solvent and solute in the mixing chamber 23 by shakingthe assembly end-wise or substantially longitudinally of the ampule II,as proposed by the doubleended arrow 59 shown in Fig. 4. As a result ofthe end-wise sloshing of the solvent in the mixing chamber 23 andthorough agitation thereof with the solute solids 21 therein, thedesired medicinal liquid mixture or solution intended for hypodermicin-jection into the patient is formed, all without access to theinterior of the dual-chamber barrel while maintaining the sterilecondition of the contents of the chambers. y

Thereafter, the so-fired ampule II is withdrawn from bore 40 of syringecasing 39 and thrust can 28 is transferred to the other end I3 of thebarrel, as shown in Fig. 5. The uncovered end E4 of barrel I2 is theninserted in bore 49 of syringe casing 39, and by application of thrustto thrust cap 28, the tip of upper end 50 of the needle which projectsbeyond the end 52 of post 49 is caused to pierce membrane crown I9 ofend closing plug II! to provide access to the medicinal mixture inmixing chamber 23. With the operators thumb and fingers again engagingthe thrust cap and syringe casing in a manner similar to that proposedin Fig. 4, the

medicinal mixture may then be hypodermically The vented gas or airpasses administered to the patient. Such technique usually includesinitial aspiration for a show of blood at the end of the needle in theliquid body of medicinal mixture to assure proper insertion forintravenous injections, or to dictate reinsertion for subcutaneous andintramuscular injections. This aspiration may be obtained by pushing thebarrel I2 inward slightly to fold membrane crown I9 of end closing plugII'I inward to the position shown in Fig. 5, and then releasing thebarrel so that that membrane crown will flex out to arelaxed position,shown in Fig. 3, to create suction. The air head 58 in mixing chamber 23assures proper obtainment of such aspirating action since, otherwise, ifall of the liquid transferred through partition plug I'I into mixingchamber 23 substantially filled the space in the latter, inward foldingof the membrane crown I9 of end-closin plug II'i would tend to createhydraulic pressure sufiicient to fold inwardly the membrane crown I9 ofthe partition plug I1, with probable attendant distortion or abacking-up of piston plug 25.

The liquid medicinal mixture in mixing chamber 23 is then expelledtherefrom through the hollow needle by piston action of end-closing plugII! in that chamber when pushed forward by plunger or piston post 49 asbarrel I2 is telescoped down into bore 49 with application of forwardthrust to cap 28. The membrane crown I9 of partition plug I'I will thusbe brought to engagement of the throat of chamber 51 in endclosingpiston plug II'I while there is still liquid 'mixture surrounding theopening in the tip of the end 50 of injecting needle 45. Sinceinjections are usually made with the needle pointing downwardly, it willbe understood that the small air head 58 provided in mixing chamber 23for purposes of assuring attainment of desired aspiration will be keptcontinuously out of reach of the open upper end of the needle boreduring the injection operation.

In Figs. 7 to 10 incl. is shown another embodiment of the hypodermicsyringe ampule of the present invention designed particularly for usewith another well-known type of hypodermic syringe structure, such asthe Cook type disclosed in Patent No. 1,661,818, of March 6, 1928. Inthat embodiment tubular barrel I2 of ampule III has a waist constrictionII5 which is preferably of less depth than waist constriction I5 of theampule II shown in Figs. 1 to 5 incl. This is for .the reason that inthe embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5.incl., it is intendedthat-partition plug I7. be maintained in a relatively fixed position atseat I6 at all times, while in the embodiment shown in Figs. 7 to 10incl, the partition plug is to be held at the relatively larger seat IIB.only temporarily during transfer of liquid solvent to the mixingchamber, and thereafter to be dislodged by the piston plug closing oifthe end of the liquid chamber, so that it may be pushed ahead of thatpiston plug through the mixing chamber during injection expulsion ofliquid mixture from the mixing chamber, as will be. morefully explainedhereinafter.

As will be seen from Figs. '7 to 10 incl., the

assembly. shown therein may comprise a tubular bottom of the .socketproviding an abutment against which end I4 of barrel I2 may be rested.

9 As is usual, head 62 has a seat or socket 63 therein which receivesenlargement 64 of a doubleended needle I45, with the upper end 50 of thelatter projecting into socket 6|. The other end 65 of tubular casing I39carries finger-engaging wings 53, 53, and is internally threaded at 66threadably to receive a closure plu 61 having an axial bore 68reciprocatively receiving plunger 'oif at the end, preferably by areversed cupped plug 2I'I. Plug 2I'I is needle-pierceable and may beformed of elastic material, such as synthetic or natural rubber, forexample, pure gum, and may be of a shape substantially similar to thepiston plug 25 of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5 incl., althoughit is not intended to have any piston action in the mixing chamber. Theliquid solvent chamber 22 on the other side of partition plug I1 isclosed off at its end by piston plug I25, which may be a substantiallysolid body of similar elastic material, having embedded therein duringthe molding thereof the head of externally threaded stud 12, so that itcan be temporarily connected to piston 69.

In operation of the embodiment shown in Figs. '7 to incl., the casingplug 6! is removed with plunger 69 from tubular casing I39, and a loadedampule I I I is slid thereinto with its mixing chamber end leading. Thesocketed end of plunger 69 is threadably engaged on stud I2 to connectpiston plug I25 thereto and casing plug 61 is threaded into end 65 ofthe casing. The technician then grasps the syringe structure in a mannersimilar to that proposed in Fig. 4, depressing or thrusting upward theknob I0 to cause piston plug I25 to be slid forward into liquid chamber22. As a result, hydraulic pressure is developed in chamber 51 ofpartition plug I! to bulge its membrane crown I9, as shown in Fig. 3,thereby opening the slits '2I2I to permit liquid solvent 24 to besprayed into mixing chamber 23. During transfer of liquid 24 from liquidchamber 22 through partition plug I'I into mixing chamber 23, gas or aircontained in the latter will be vented through the bore of needle M5 dueto the communication thereof with the interior of the mixing chamberwhen the needle tip 50 is pierced through the closing membrane of plug 2I 1.

After piston plug I25 has been brought to contact with the rear end ofpartition plug I I, thorough admixture of solvent and solute in mixingchamber 23 is obtained by shaking the assembly substantially axially orlengthwise of the ampule I I i, as proposed by the double-ended arrow 59in Fig. 9. Then upon insertion of the needle I45 into a patients flesh;aspiration which may give a show of blood may readily be attained byslight pumping or reciprocating action of plunger 69 to create suctionon the interior of partition plug 2! which will develop a similarsuction in mixing chamber 23.

The liquid medicinal mixture in mixing chamber 23 may then be dischargedthrough the needle I45 by forcing the plunger 59 further into syringebarrel l2 with force sumcient first to cause piston plug I25 to unseatpartition plug I I from constricted seat I I 6 and force it into chamber'23. Due to the elasticity of piston plug I25 and the fact thatconstricted seat I I6 is of adiameter preferably only slightly less thanthe internal diameter of the remaining portions of barrel I2 or chamber23, the piston plug may then be forced through and beyond seat IIE intothe latter chamber behind the partition plug I! to cause the latter tobe slid forward therein with piston action to expel therefrom liquidmedicinal mixture, as is indicated in Fig. 10. Such piston action ofpartition plug ll, of course, is permitted by virtue of the fact thatfluid may be valved therethrough in only one direction, namely, from theliquid chamber to the mixing chamber, and upon application of greaterpressure to the outside of its membrane crown I9, it will be foldedinwardly securely to keep the perforations or slits 2I-2l closed.

It is to be understood that in accordance with the present invention,other types of one-way valving partition means or plug structures whichwill give similar action may be employed in lieu of the partition plugstructure shown by way of example in the present drawings, and thatvariations of other parts of the embodiments of the ampules andassociated syringe constructions depicted may be used to perform similarfunctions and operations, such as other means for temporarily connectingthe piston plug to the plunger. For example, an enlargement on the innerend of the plunger may be snapped into a socket in the elastic body ofthe piston plug with the socket provided with a constricted opening, andother equivalent means, proposed in my copending application Serial No.658,670, filed April 1, 1946, now Patent No. 2,556,331, dated June 12,1951.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and,since certain changes may be made in the above construction anddifferent embodiments of the invention could be made without departingfrom the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in theabove description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. A hypodermic syringe ampule for storage of segregated ingredients ofliquid medicinal solutions and therapeutic preparations manipulatable toaccomplish admixture of the ingredients and hypodermically to administerthe resulting mixture comprising, in combination, a substantiallytubular hypodermic syringe barrel, partition means mounted in saidbarrel between 010- nosite ends thereof to define from each other aliquid storage chamber and a mixing chamber for storage of the otheringredient, one-way valve means in said partition means openable byhydraulic pressure applied from the liquid chamber side of the latterand preventing reverse flow, piston plug means closing off the liquidchamber 'end of said barrel and being adapted to be slid forward thereinto expel liquid from said liquid chamber into said mixing chamber, andneedlepierceable plug means closing off the mixing chamber end of saidbarrel and through which the hollow needle of the syringe is to bethrust to permit expulsion of mixture in the hypodermic administrationof the latter.

2. The ampule as defined in claim 1 characterized by the provision ofsaid partition and valve means as comprising a body of elastic materialhaving a portion cupped inward on the liquid chamber side thereof andprovided with at least one self-closing perforation extendingtherethrough openable when the cupped portion is stretched byapplication of hydraulic pressure developed in said liquid chamber.

3. The ampule as defined in claim 2 characterized by the provision ofsaid cupped portion as a pierced membrane crown in which a slit isopenable upon bulging of the crown with application of hydraulicpressure inside thereof and self-closing upon relaxation of the elasticmaterial with approximate equalization of pressure on both sides, saidcrown being foldable inwardly by application of fiuid pressure from theouter side thereof securely to close the slit and prevent back fiow offluid.

4. The ampule as defined in claim 1 characterized by the provision ofsaid needle-pierceable end plug means as an air-venting structure havingat least one self-closing opening therein openable by application offluid pressure only from the mixing chamber side thereof.

5. The ampule as defined in claim 4 characterized by the provision ofsaid needle-pierceable plug means as comprising a body ofelasticmaterial having a portion cupped inward on the'mixing chamber sidethereof and provided with at least one self-closing perforationextending therethrough openable when the cupped portion is stretched byapplication of fluid pressure developed in said mixture chamber.

6. The ampule as defined in claim 5 characterized by the provision ofsaid cupped portion as a pierced membrane crown in which a slit isopenable upon bulging of the crown with appli cation of fluid pressureinside thereof and selfclosing upon relaxation of the elastic materialwith approximate equalization of pressure on both sides, said crownbeing foldable inwardly by application of pressure from the outer sidethereof securely to close the slit.

'7. The ampule as defined in claim 6 characterized by saidneedle-pierceable plug as being 7 slidable into said mixing chamber toserve as a piston plug for discharge of liquid contents through a hollowhypodermic needle when thrust therethrough.

8. The ampule as defined in claim 7 characterized by the provision ofsaid partition means and said needle-pierceable plug means assubstantial duplicates each comprising a cupped plug of elastic materialhaving a pierced membrane crown with both oriented in the same directionso that the crown of the partition plug projects into said mixingchamber and the crown of the other projects out away from said mixingchamber.

9. A hypodermic syringe ampule for storage of segregated ingredients ofliquid medicinal solutions and therapeutic preparations manipulatable toaccomplish admixture of the ingredients and hypodermically to administerthe resulting mixture comprising, in combination, a substantiallytubular hypodermic syringe barrel,

a crowned cupped plug of elastic material having the closed end thereofformed as a pierced membrane crown and mounted in said barrel betweenopposite ends thereof to define from each other a liquid storage chamberand a mixing chamber for storage of the other ingredient, said partitionplug having its crown projecting into said mixing chamber to provide aone-way valve with the perforations therein being openable by hydraulicpressure applied interiorly from said liquid chamber and self-closingupon relief of such pressure, said crown being foldable inwardly byapplication of pressure to the mixing chamber'side thereof to assuremaintenance of closure of the perforations for preventing reverse fiowof fluid, a cupped piston plug closing oil the liquid chamber end ofsaid barrel with a body of liquid confined in said liquid chamber to beexpelled through said partition plug into said mixing chamber when saidpiston plug is slid forward in said liquid chamber, said piston plugbeing cupped inward on its outer side to avoid being pierced by an endof a hypodermic needle which may project inward from plunger means ofhypodermic syringe structure adapted to utilize said ampule, and asimilar crowned cupped plug closing off the mixing chamber end of saidbarrel with the other ingredients confined in said mixing chamber andwith the pierced crown of the latter plug extending out away from thatend of said barrel to permit venting of gas from'within said mixingchamber, the crown of said venting plug being pierceable by suchhypodermic needle with that plug being slidable into said mixing chamberto serve as a piston for discharge of liquid mixture through the needle.

10. The ampule as defined in claim 1 characterized by the provision ofsaid partition means in the form of a piston plug frictionally mountedin said barrel temporarily to be held substantially fixed while theend-closing piston plug means is slid forward in said liquid chambertoward it to expel the liquid through it into said mixing chamber whilepermitting dislodgement from its fixed partioning location by theendclosing piston plug means with further advance of the latter intosaid mixing chamber, said partitioning piston plug being adapted toexpel liquid mixture from said mixing chamber as it is advanced thereinby said end-closing piston plug means.

11. The ampule as defined in claim 10 characterized by the provision ofsaid barrel with a waist constriction to form an internal seat for saidpartitioning piston plug of at least slightly less diameter than thatplug frictionally to hold it securely in position temporarily whilepermitting that plug to be of a diameter slightly larger than and closeto that of said mixing chamber to permit effective liquid-expellingpiston action of ease in the latter.

12. The ampule as defined in claim 11 characterized by the provision ofsaid barrel with substantially uniform diameter except at the waistconstriction, the diameter at the latter being only slightly less withthe end-closing piston plug means being formed of elastic material topermit it to be forced into said mixing chamber behind said partitioningplug to cause the latter to expel liquid therefrom by piston action.

13. The ampule as defined in claim 10 characterized by the provision ofsaid partitioning piston plug as comprising a body of elastic materialhaving a portion cupped inward on the liquid chamber side thereof andprovided with at least 13 one self-closing perforation extendingtherethrough openable when the cupped portion is stretched byapplication of liquid pressure developed in said liquid chamber.

14. The ampule as defined in claim 13 characterized by the provision ofsaid cupped portion as a pierced membrane crown in which a slit isopenable upon bulging of the crown with application of hydraulicpressure inside thereof and self-closing upon relaxation of the elasticmaterial with approximate equalization of pressure on both sides, saidcrown being foldable inwardly by application of fluid pressure from theouter side thereof securely to close the slit and prevent back flow offluid.

15. The ampule as defined in claim 14 characterized by the provision ofsaid barrel with a waist constriction to form an internal seat for saidpartitioning piston plug with the remainder thereof being ofsubstantially uniform diameter and the diameter at said waistconstriction being only slightly less and with the end-closing pistonplug means being formed of elastic material to permit it to be forcedinto said mixing chamber behind said partitioning plug to cause thelatter to expel liquid therefrom by piston action.

16. The ampule as defined in claim 15 characterized by the provision ofsaid end-closing piston plug means with means temporarily to connect itto reciprocative syringe plunger means to permit that piston plug meansto be moved back and forth in said mixing chamber with aspirating actionby said plunger means.

17. The ampule as defined in claim characterized by the provision ofsaid end-closing piston plug means with means temporarily to connect itto reciprocative syringe plunger means to permit back and forthaspirating action of the former by the latter.

18. A hypodermic syringe ampule for storage of segregated ingredients ofliquid medicinal solutions and therapeutic preparations manipulatable toaccomplish admixture of the ingredients and hypodermically to administerthe resulting mixture comprising, in combination, a substantiallytubular hypodermic syringe barrel of substantially uniform diameterthroughout the major portion thereof having an internal seatintermediate its ends provided by a circumambient waist constriction, acrowned cupped plug of elastic material mounted in said internal seat soas to define from each other a liquid storage chamber and a mixingchamber for storage of the other ingredients and having a piercedmembrane crown projecting into said mixing chamber to provide a one-wayvalve with the perforations therein being openable by hydraulic pressureapplied interiorly from said liquid chamber and self-closing upon reliefof such pressure, said crown being foldable inwardly by application ofpressure to the mixing chamber side thereof to assure maintenance ofclosure of the perforations for preventing reverse flow of fluid, saidinternal seat being only slightly smaller than that of the remainder ofsaid barrel frictionally to hold said partition plug in position onlytemporarily with the latter of a diameter slightly larger than thediameter of said mixing chamber so as to be slidable therein with pistonaction for discharge of liquid mixture contents, a piston plug ofelastic material of a diameter only slightly greater than the internaldiameter of said liquid chamber closing off the outer end of the latterwith a body of liquid confined therein to be expelled through saidpierced partition plug into said mixing chamber when said piston plug isslid forward through said liquid chamber, said partition plug beingdislodgeable from said constricted seat by said piston plug with thelatter being squeezeable through that seat into said mixing chambertherein to push said partition plug ahead of it to serve as amixture-expelling piston plug, means temporarily to connect saidend-closing piston plug to reciprocative syringe plunger means, and aneedle-pierceable plug closing off the outer end of said mixing chamberwith the other ingredients confined therein.

MARSHALL L. LOCKHART.

REFERENCES CETED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,929,616 Vopata Oct. 10, 19332,445,477 Folkman July 20, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date282,622 Germany Mar. 11, 1915

